Drew Altizer

On Wednesday, April 2 the San Francisco Symphony held a special VIP cocktail reception at the Robert Fountain Design Studio to celebrate the launch of the 2008 Black and White Ball. In attendance were SF Symphony President John Goldman and Black and White Ball Chair Patricia Sprincin, who unveiled the all-star entertainment lineup for this year’s festivities, which include big-name acts like Seal, Blues Traveler and Pete Escovedo.

High-end jewelers Boucheron threw an exquisite birthday party for Sonya Molodetskaya on Tuesday, April 1. The lavish event, which boasted an A-list guest list with both Mayors Gavin Newsome and Willie Brown in attendance, featured complimentary nibbles courtesy of Taste, free-flowing cocktails and a live band.

On Monday, March 31 Nion McEvoy and Randall Kline co-hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the upcoming 25th Anniversary Gala celebrating legendary saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. The event was held at the Marc Jacobs store on Maiden Lane and featured jazz, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

To celebrate the SF Ballet’s 75th Anniversary BVLGARI co-hosted a sumptuous party at their Union Square store on Thursday, March 27. Ballet dancers and guests commingled while sipping on complementary cocktails, nibbling canapés and perusing priceless gems specifically flown in for the event.

On Saturday, March 29 members of the Bay Area Philanthropic community attended the annual Paint the Town Red Gala benefiting the Red Cross disaster relief and readiness efforts. The event, which was held at San Francisco City Hall, featured a silent auction, where attendees could bid on celebrity-made survival kits by Harry Denton, former mayor Willie Brown and musician Santana, as well as a lavish dinner and dancing.

On Wednesday, March 12, Nadine Weil and the renowned (and ecofabulous) designer Zem Joaquin hosted a private cocktail reception for contentious couturier John Patrick, who offered a sneak peek at his Fall 2008 line of organic clothes.

Is Saturday the new Monday? Attendees at the fifth annual Mid-Winter Gala (who included more than a few Trainas, Gettys and a Barnett or two, plus Mr. and Mrs. Alex Bolen, of Oscar de la Renta) could be excused for thinking so as they sat down to dinner in the tented court of the Legion of Honor this past weekend: Pride of place on the menu went to A16’s famous meatballs (appearing here with the help of Dan McCall Catering)—usually, of course, you’ve got to brave the restaurant’s Monday-evening crowds to score a plate.

On March 4 at Yoshi's of San Francisco, more than 200 Symphonix members gathered for their first membership party of 2008. The Spring Jazz Fever Party was held at the Yoshi's upstairs loft overlooking the towering new restaurant on Fillmore. New members and guests included Zoe Johns, Teola Young, Charles Rashall, Heather Hartle of 7X7 Magazine, current Symphonix Board President Barry Shotts and Advisory Board members Kelly Grimes and Roberta Economidis. As the evening drew to a close, Symphonix members spilled into the restaurant and bar to enjoy sushi and cocktails.